I am rather new at scrapbooking. I have completed about 10 pages in the 8.5X11 size. Recently, I have been hearing that this size is being phased out in favor of 12X12. I hope this isn't true! I have already bought albums to do my family books and my kids baby albums! I have noticed at my local scrapbooking stores that they are stocking more 12X12 than 8.5X11(used to be the other way around). Some paper isn't even available in 8.5X11, the manufacture only makes the larger paper.
What size do you use? Why did you chose this size? I chose 8.5X11 because they would fit nicely on my book cases and were easy to handle for viewing. Do you think, I have made a mistake?
Please be brutally honest with me! I would much rather switch now than find out later that I should have done it.
I'm not an expert by a long shot, but I have 3 girls and a scrapbook for each one. I would probably stick with what I have already started with. I use 8 1/2 x 11 and intend to continue to do so. I love being able to slide them down in the sheet protectors and not having to worry about losing anything; glue and tape don't stick forever! You might also consider cost. Is 12x12 more expensive? You can pick up 8 1/2 x 11 very conveniently and sometimes inexpensively, depending if it's on sale. Also, if that's what fits best on your shelf, I'd stick with it for that reason too. If you get something that doesn't fit on your shelf very well, you're not going to be happy with it. That's just my opinion, but hopefully it'll help you in making your decision.
I have been scrapbooking for 5 years and I advise everyone to give it a try! I love it! I started out with 8x11 and still use that size for gift albums, ABC albums (I am just finishing one for my 5 yo dd) and I teach kids' classes, I have them start with 8x11. I really like the 12x12 because it allows me to get more creative or fit more pictures on a page. If you are comfortable with 8x11 I wouldn't worry too much about finding albums but you may have to go to buying paper in 12x12 sizes and cutting it down. It seems that many of the scrapbook paper companies are leaning toward just offering 12x12 papers. I feel that basic cardstock colors will still be available in 8x11 because of rubber stamping and card crafts.
If you find an 8x11 album you really like, you could stock up when they are on sale. Happy Scrapping!
Laurie
I mainly use 12 x 12 because I can do more but there are all different sizes. Some people do 6 x 6, 7 x 7 & 5 x 7 also. Once you start doing albums more, you'll probably switch back & forth. I also use the 8 x 11 but not as often. I use that mainly for a certain theme, like my daughter is in ballet & I'm doing a 8 x 11 just for her ballet career (well I hope, career, lol). Hope that helps, since you are new, experiment. Good luck & have fun. It is very addicting
I started scrapbooking with the 12x12 books. That is still the size that I use for the most part. It's what I'm used to and I feel I get a lot on a page.
I have used a variety of other sizes as well. The first time I did an 8x10 it felt so strange. It was hard to "reduce" my thinking to a smaller space. Now I have even done a 5x7 and enjoyed the challenge of seeing how much I could fit on a small space.
I don't believe there is a right or wrong. It's a matter of what you are comfortable with. Sometimes it also depends on the needs of the project you are working on.
Scrapbooking is a wonderful hobby and so rewarding. What a joy to be preserving your family's memories.
I've just started scrapbooking too--I mean I have a new album and three pages done in it (except for the journaling). Anyway, I chose the larger size because I wanted more room to put stuff. In the class I went to, there were a variety of different sized books. It looked like it depended on what the ladies were working on. I can't think that far ahead. Good luck and have fun. I'm going to a Power Crop on Friday and am nervously excited!
P.S. To Laurie in NY, what is an ABC book exactly. I have a three year old so this may be something I want to do depending on what it is. Thanks to Laurie or anyone else who knows and answers!
I absolutely love scrapbooking! It is the most rewarding hobby I have ever had mostly because everyone will love looking at your finished product. Everyone takes pictures, and this is such a great way to handle them.
I use 8 1/2 x 11 because for storage the binders are more practical. Sometimes it is difficult to fit everything you want on to one page. In that case just carry it over to another page and place them next to each other in your notebook so that as you open them they are displayed together.
I have been doing some form of scrapbooking since I was 9 or 10, course it has become more complicated and sophisticated since the 80's. I didn't know about acid-free stuff then. Anyway, I work with 12x12 albums for our family albums, and my girls albums just because I can fit more on the pages. I have carried a single event over several pages in my first born's album and would hate to think about how many it would have taken in a smaller album. I also use 5x7's for grand and great grandparents. I have been bad about it lately, but generally every 2 or 3 months I send a page to the grandparents to add to thier album, which I have already set up for them - they just have to slide the page in and add a post upon occation. This works out great for thier albums and they can see the girls grow up since we are all over the country. We are military and don't get to see our families very often, so grandparent albums are great for them. They all enjoy showing off thier books and it is quick and easy for me to complete.
As far as which size you use I believe is up to you - each artist uses thier own material/canvas. I don't stick to any one size of paper, since you can do so much with it. If I see something that would be great for one of my pages or inspires me I get it and work with the "limitations" later. I have found (course it has been a few months) that 8.5x11 has more solid colors that I like than 12x12. Many companies have the same design in both sizes also. I check out Michael's a lot, but usually shop DMarie.com out of convience when my kids are naping (3 & 1).
I still haven't decided what size I will use. It's taking me a while, but I want to make the right choice. I was at one of my local scrapbooking stores today and really loved the 12X12 leather albums with the hinged pages. They are really pricey though! Here in Canada, they are $65.
I have been buying 12X12 paper anyway. If I decide on that size, I already have some paper. If I decide on the 8.5X11 size, I will just cut the paper down.
I have been scrapbooking for 2 years and Really, I do think that each of us has our preferances. I prefer to use the 8 1/2 x 11, just because those are more familar to me. Sometimes I just get the cute can't live without 12 x 12 paper and cut it down, or into shapes or whatever for my books, but I am comfortable with this size. I think I might get lost on those bigger pages!!!
Whatever you choose will be fine, I am sure. Have a blast...this craft is really fun!!!
What size album do you use? 
I have noticed at my local scrapbooking stores that they are stocking more 12X12 than 8.5X11(used to be the other way around). Some paper isn't even available in 8.5X11, the manufacture only makes the larger paper.
I would much rather switch now than find out later that I should have done it.
